KM3KM mercuryAT User manual

OPERATION MANUALV 1.3
Automatic Antenna Tuner
Designed and Manufactured in the USA
Copyright 2022 KM3KM Electronics LLC.
Features
•Operating Bands 160m –6m
•5-inch Color Touch Screen
•FWD/REF/SWR Meter
•Selection for 3 Antennas
•1-30 MHz 1200 watts SSB
•1-30 MHz 1000 watts CW
•1-30 MHz 700 watts DIGI mode
•50 MHz 300 watts
•Inductance 6.3 uH / Capacitance 1100 pF
•Matching Range 5:1
•Tuned 1.5:1
•Minimum Tuner Level 3 Watts
•W 8 x L 10 x H 5.5 / Weigh 7.5 pounds
mercuryAT

SAFETY WARNING
2
Very high RF voltages, as well as large RF current flow,
may be present in your mercuryAT. Like all antenna
tuners meant for high power use, the mercuryAT handles
a great deal of RF energy.
Your mercuryAT is designed to safely handle this RF
energy within its specifications, with a reasonable
margin of safety. There are amateur amplifiers capable
of putting out excessive RF levels, sometimes far in excess
of the specified maximums. Operating significantly above
specifications will definitely damage or destroy your
mercuryAT.
Operating above specifications may cause failure of
internal components.
KM3KM Electronics LLC has always counted on our customers to
help us improve not only our product but how we inform you.
Please let us know if there are any errors in this Manual or if we
missed any information that may be helpful to other operators; we
will always review and consider any recommendations that will
help us improve.

GOOD PRACTICE
3
Be sure to observe the mercuryAT specified power ranges.
If the tuner fails due to overload, it could also
damage your Transmitter or Amplifier.
An antenna tuner transforms the impedance at the power point from the line to the
equipment, to a value suitable for the transmitter, typically 50 Ohms.
In order to work with higher power output, you’ll first need a good antenna. Use a
tuner only to correct some mismatch on narrow bandwidth antennas.
Remember that a tuner does not fix the antenna. To properly tune an antenna the
following is necessary:
• Lengthen or cut the antenna elements.
• Add or remove elements to the antenna.
• Change the height of the antenna above the ground.
Your tuner does not reduce the portion of signal lost in the transmission line and it
alone will not improve the radiation efficiency of your antenna.
Even though it may increase the power transferred from the transmitter to the
transmission line (therefore increasing the power radiated from the antenna) it will
not change the SWR on your transmission line.
If your antenna is compromised or poor, no tuner will correct this!
Keep in mind that if your transmission line has an impedance matcher or
Balun it can get hot and will increase the SWR gradually.

CONNECTIONS DIAGRAM
4
PTT disconnect: The amplifier will be disconnected while the tuning is
running.
Radio control interface (Optional). 3.5 mm audio jack type to specific
connecter of transceiver to enable transceiver “tune” button. See page 7.
Coax Jumper Cables: A Coax jumper of 2 feet or less from the amplifier to
mercuryAT is recommended.
Power Cable: Connect the power cable to an external power supply up to
13.8VDC. Use Red for (+) and black for (-). Never power up your mercuryAT
through the transceiver. Use the same power source with which the
transceiver is powered since mercuryAT does not have a power switch.
Minimum current required 1.5A. Connector Type 2.5mm ID, 5.5mm OD
Note: Single point ground ONLY… Do not connect ground loops.
Do not connect an open line antenna or Long Wire to this tuner.

MAIN SCREEN
5
1- Forward Power Indicator - Note that the FWD and REF Power indications will sometimes
not match with other instruments. This is due to the matching point of the transmission line.
2- Reflected Power Indicator - Never operate mercuryAT at more than 125 watts of reflected
power.
3- Banner Zone - This zone will display any mercuryAT error messages or required actions.
4- Antenna Output Selectors - Select the button for antenna 1, 2, or 3. Antenna 1 will be
connected if mercuryAT is disconnected from 12 volts. The previous selection will remain in
memory for the next power-up.
5- Bypass Button - Disconnects the tuner and directly connects the port (IN) to the selected
antenna.
6- Tune Button - Press the TUNE Button to tune, the banner (TUNE CALL) will be displayed and
mercuryAT will be ready to receive a continuous 10-watts carrier to start the auto adjustment.
7- SLEEP Button - mercuryAT will turn off the Display. The Antenna Relays and LC adjustment
will remain energized, however. To turn on the Display, tap the screen again.
8- SETUP Button - Call Sign, Brightness and Beep sound can be configured.
9- SWR Indicator.

6
Rear View
1- SO239 Input Connector - Connects the signal coming from the transceiver or amplifier. Do
not connect Ferrite Clamp or RF Choke on this line. A Coax jumper of 2 feet or less from the
amplifier to mercuryAT is recommended.
2- SO239 Output Connectors - Connect only to external antennas or to a Dummy load. In case
of antennas with high reflected power, it is recommended to connect a line RF Choke to avoid
hot shack and interference to other electronic equipment. The line choke must be located at
the end closest to the antenna. Do not connect an open line antenna or Long Wire to these
ports.
3- Cabinet Fan - The exhaust fan makes a cooler environment inside the cabinet, prolonging
the life of components and avoiding exposure to heat from the inductors. Do not block rear
area and please leave either the left or right side of mercuryAT clear for proper airflow.
4- DC Power Connector - Connect the power cable to an external power supply up to
13.8VDC. Minimum current required 1.5A. Connector Type 2.5mm ID, 5.5mm OD.
5- Automatic Transceiver Control Port - 3.5mm female plug; connect control cable to
transceiver if available but not required for mercuryAT operation.
6- Serial PTT Disconnect - RCA female plug. It is very important to connect the send/key cable
to these ports if you are using an external amplifier. The ports are not directional so you can
plug the transceiver and amplifier into either port.
7- Ground Screw - Connect directly to physical ground. Do not connect at other equipment or
ground loops. Do not connect Ferrite Clamp or RF Choke on this line.

7
TUNING GUIDE
Semi Automatic Tuning (Transceiver Control Interface Disconnected)
1- Reduce the radio power to 10 watts.
2- Turn off or place the amplifier on STANDBY. If you are operating a mercury amp and the
PTT Disconnect cable is installed, this is not necessary.
3- Make sure that the Bypass Button on the mercuryAT is turned off and press the TUNE
Button for 2 seconds. You will see the Banner read “Tune CALL” on the screen.
4- Press PTT in any continuous carrier mode (CW, RTTY, FM, AM)
5- Do not release the PTT until the tuning has completed. It is very Important not to
release PTT as there may be a secondary tuning sequence if the initial tuning has not
acquired an appropriate tune. One of the following Banners will appear on the screen:
Automatic Full Tuning (Transceiver Control Interface Connected)
1- Turn off or place the amplifier on STANDBY. If you are operating a mercury amp and the
PTT Disconnect cable is installed, this is not necessary.
2- Make sure that the Bypass button in mercuryAT is turned off and press the TUNE
button on mercuryAT; you will see the Banner (Tune CALL) on the screen and the tuning
process will start automatically. Then one of the Banners described above will be
displayed.
Important:If the input power level is too low the tuning will not run or will have an
erroneous result. Never tune with more than 40 watts of input to mercuryAT.
If you transmit a constant carrier with more than 700 watts for more than 5 seconds an
alarm will sound -- if transmission is not halted, severe damaged can occur.
mercuryAT will calculate the loss and indicate if the tuning is appropriate to
handle high power.

8
RADIO INTERFACE CONFIGURATION
The control connection from mercuryAT to your transceiver
allows for an automatic tuning process when the TUNE
button on the tuner or transceiver is pressed. The mercuryAT
sends a PTT signal (Active Low) into a tuner-dedicated port
on the transceiver and the transceiver begins transmitting a
low-level CW tone. The tuner detects this RF and completes
the tuning process. Note that some transceivers do not
automatically reduce output power or require additional
configuration in the menu (see your manufacturer's manual).
If you are using a mercury AMP the power setting is
supposed to be 30-40 watts and you do not need to reduce
power for the tuning process; note that some transceivers
set the output power individually for CW modes.
Due to non-standardization of this tuner port and the many
makes and models available, this fully automatic operation
of mercuryAT may not be compatible with some transceiver
ports. But you can operate in semi-automatic mode with any
transceiver without a control cable. See the Guide on Page 6.
Note that the control cable is not included in the package
(sold separately). Below are some diagrams and
configuration of transceivers compatible with this control
option in mercuryAT.

9
ICOM
IC-7000.IC-7600. IC-7300.IC-7610. IC-7700. IC-7100. IC-7200.IC-706.IC-707.IC-718.
IC-725.IC-728.IC-736.IC-738.IC-746.IC-756.
For ICOM RF power is lowered while mercuryAT is running. There is no need to change
settings after or before tuning.
YAESU
FT-450D. FT-950. FT-DX1200. FT-DX10.

10
YAESU
FT-891. FT-857D. FT-897D. FT-100. FT-100D. FT-991A
For FT-991(A), go to menu 143 and select LAMP. For the FT-891, go to menu 16-15 and
select LAMP.
YAESU
FTDX-101D. FTDX-101MP. FTDX-3000

11
Warranty
COVERED: Your mercuryAT is covered under normal use and service for a period of one
(1) year including shipping. Date is calculated by the date of delivery to the first buyer.
NOT COVERED: Warranty does not extend if your mercuryAT has been subjected to
damage from natural causes such as lightning, water, fire and other catastrophes.
Warranty does not cover damage from improper installation or application not in
accordance with the operating specifications.
When sending in the mercuryAT for service, please pack it carefully, in the original box
and packing materials. Please include a note with your name, address and e-mail or
phone number, that clearly describes the problem. When the Tuner is returned to the
factory and an examination of the mercuryAT discloses in KM3KM’s judgement to have
been defective during the Warranty Period, it will be repaired and shipped back at no
cost to the costumer. However, if it is not due to failure in manufacturing, materials or
workmanship, the customer will be charged for both return and original shipping.
Please note that we will not charge labor to any repair after the warranty expires.
Customer will pay parts and shipping after warranty expires. This will also apply to
secondhand mercryAT.
Return Policy: You have 10 calendar days to return from the date you received your
mercuryAT. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you
received it. Your mercuryAT must be in the original packaging; you must have the receipt
or proof of purchase.
Refunds: We will immediately notify you on the status of your refund after inspecting
the mercuryAT, if found to be damaged it will be at the discretion of KM3KM what the
refund amount will be.If your return is approved, we will initiate a refund to your credit
card (or original method of payment). You will receive the credit within a certain amount
of days, depending on your card issuer's policies.
Shipping: You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning
your item. Shipping costs are nonrefundable.
Thank You For the collaboration
and help with this manual:
Dave Jensen (W7DGJ)
Steve Bennion (W7DJ)